Jain Journal 2008 01 No 03

SR No.: 520269
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Satyaranjan Banerjee
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publication Year: 2008
Total Pages: 56
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, India_Jain Journal, & India
File Size: 3 MB

Page 33

SatyaRanjanBanerjee:Contributionofthe Jainsin Developing MoralFibresofthelndians
137
interest in Jain religion and there was a rumour that Akbar embraced Jain-faith. In 1593 A.D. Akbar issued a sanad by which the five hills of Rajgir, the Pārsvanātha hill in Bihar and other Svetāmbara shrines were declared as holy places and killing of animals in the surroundings was forbidden. Akbar had also contacts with Vijayasena, the successor of Hiravijaya, and also with Jinacandra, the head of the Kharatagaccha.
Similar type of encouragement was continued by subsequent Mogul Emperors. Emperor Jahangir (1605-1627 A.D.) showed his respect to Jinacandra and his successor Jinasimla was honoured with the title Yugapradhāna. Jahangir also issued a Farmān for the protection of Satruñjaya. Shahjahan and his sons Murad Baksh and Aurangzeb (1659-1707 A.D.) issued a similar Farmān and awarded the district Satruñjaya with its 2 lakhs income as Inām to Satidās, a Jaina court-jeweller. Ahmed Shah (1746-1754) did the same thing with the Mountain Pārsvanātha which was awarded to Jagat Seth Mahtāb Rāi and his successor for the Jains.
In this way a good relationship has been established between the Jains and the Islamic Emperors. (For this piece of information, see Glasenapp, Jainism, pp. 73-75)
Before I conclude I must not forget to mention the name of Mahatmā Gandhi who was exceptionally influenced by the ahiṁsā of Jainism. Under the influence of ahiṁsā, Mahātmā Gandhi proclaimed "non-violence civil disobedience” for the independence of India. Mahātmā Gandhi himself was a Vaişņava and under the influence of a Jaina Sādhu his mother made him to take a vow not to take meat, alchohal and women in England while he would be there for studies.
I believe there could be a very good thesis to write on the influence of Jainism on Indian life, philosophy and literary activities.
The foregoing account of this discourse is intended neither to disparage the views of the Jains nor to avoid queries from inquisitive corners, but solely to illustrate the differences in taste and outlook which may account for the discrepancy between the Jaina and Hindu estimates of the present dissertation.